Page 8 - ADT JUNE - JULY 2021 Online Magazine

were part of the efforts to mutually benefit from
bilateral capabilities, achieve common interests
and maintain maritime security and stability in
the region.

Last November, Egyptian and Greek units car-
ried out maritime training in the Aegean Sea, [ COVER STORY ]
north of the Mediterranean, during the return
of the Egyptian naval units that participated in
the Friendship Bridge-3 training with Russia.

The Egyptian army carried out the maneuvers
after crossing the Bosphorus Strait, which is
controlled by Turkey. A new tripartite part-
nership is also hatching between Greece, the
UAE and India. Last November, on a visit to
Abu Dhabi, Prime Minister Mitsotakis met UAE
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
They signed a “strategic partnership” and an
“agreement on joint foreign policy and defence
cooperation,” the Greek Ministry of Foreign
Affairs said in a tweet. “Relations are further
deepened reaching a strategic level, aiming at
regional peace&stability,” it added.

It is noteworthy that at the height of the Greek-
Turkish crisis in August 2020 when seismic
vessel Oruc Reis conducted surveys in maritime
areas that partly fall within the Greek continen-
tal shelf, the United Arab Emirates relocated
four F-16s to the Greek island of Crete, where
they were stationed for two weeks and partic-
ipated in joint air exercises with the Hellenic
Air Force.

The value of joint military exercises between
Greece and the UAE is significant especially
Israel said would strengthen political and economic ties between when taking into consideration that the Emirati
the countries and the two countries’ air forces launched a joint armed forces are one of the most modern in the
exercise. The agreement includes a US$1.65 billion contract for the region that are technologically equipped with
establishment and operation of a training centre for the Hellenic Air state-of-the-art weapons systems.
Force by Israeli defence contractor Elbit Systems over a 22-year
period, according to Israel’s defence ministry. Elbit will supply kits India and Greece also held brainstorming ses-
to upgrade and operate Greece’s T-6 aircraft and also provide sion on threat to territorial integrity of nations
training, simulators and logistical support. and threat posed by radicalisation, violent
extremism. Both the countries agreed to work
In the latest sign of increased cooperation, Israeli military also con- towards establishment of a strategic partner-
ducted a joint naval exercise with Greece and Cyprus. The Noble ship.
Dina exercise, which was led by Israel and also included France,
covered “anti-submarine procedures, search and rescue scenarios, So, despite the effects of the COVID-19
and a scenario simulating battle between ships”. pandemic, the Greek government has been
compelled to address the strengthening of the
Athens is steadily developing partnerships on the broader geopo- Hellenic Armed Forces. Included in the list of
litical stage. Its partnership with Egypt is of growing importance, as planned materiel acquisitions is also a plan to
much in itself as in conjunction with Cyprus in the trilateral scheme increase the number of troops in military ser-
that has been developed. On Jan. 28, Egyptian and Greek forces vice by 15,000 over the coming five years. All of
conducted naval exercises in the Mediterranean. The Egyptian army this should provide Greece with improved mili-
said in a statement that these exercises came within the framework tary capability and a rejuvenated local defence
of cooperation between the Egyptian and Greek armed forces and industry.

8 | June/July 2021 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ ADT